You Betrayed Atiku, Hurt The North — Nafiu Bala Gombe Hits Kwankwaso

A factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafi’u Bala Gombe, has rejected an overture from former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He described any talk about Northern Nigeria with Kwankwaso as worthless. Gombe made the remarks following a phone call in which Kwankwaso proposed what he called a solution for the North.

Kwankwaso had reached out to Gombe to discuss the way forward for the region. The factional ADC chairman turned down the idea outright. He accused Kwankwaso and others of the same political stock of destroying the country through past decisions.

“Kwankwaso called me telling me this is the solution for the North, a way out. I said no. Any discussion concerning the North with people like you is rubbish because you’re the same people who destroyed the country,” Gombe stated.

Gombe went further, recalling events from the 2023 presidential election. He claimed Northern stakeholders begged Kwankwaso to step down for Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party. Kwankwaso refused and ran under the New Nigeria Peoples Party, a move Gombe said split Northern votes and helped pave the way for President Bola Tinubu’s victory.

The sharp exchange comes amid deepening crisis in the ADC. Gombe leads one faction while Senator David Mark heads another. The Independent National Electoral Commission derecognised both groups last month after a Court of Appeal ruling, leaving the party in legal limbo.

Kwankwaso had earlier invited Gombe to a meeting aimed at resolving the ADC impasse. Gombe failed to attend, prompting the latest public outburst. Sources close to the matter say Kwankwaso’s interest in the party has raised eyebrows within opposition ranks.

Political observers in the North see the development as a sign of lingering divisions ahead of future polls. Many still debate the impact of the 2023 vote split on regional influence at the federal level. Gombe’s stance underscores deep mistrust among some Northern politicians.

NaijaChoice News reports that Gombe’s comments have sparked fresh debate on X and across Northern political circles. Analysts say they highlight the challenges of building a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress. The ADC factions are yet to respond officially to the latest remarks.